As, it would appear, is captain Brede Hangeland, who Jol revealed had been offered a new deal to replace the one that expires next summer.

He said of the 31-year-old defender: "We made him a very good offer and he smiled for the first time since a couple of months ago, so I think he was quite happy.

"Hopefully, he will sign that because he's never injured and always plays. He leads by example and we would love to have him here for the next couple of years.

"You always hope people will be satisfied. We pay good wages and made him a very good offer.

"I didn't see him because I don't do the negotiations but the people who do that told me he was quite happy."

Hangeland, who joined Fulham from FC Copenhagen in 2008, has previously been linked with Arsenal and there have been reports Liverpool and Newcastle would be interested in snapping him up on a pre-contract agreement in January.

Jol added: "He's a nice lad if you know him. He's not an extrovert but down to earth."